The world’s first commercial liquefied carbon dioxide (CO₂) carrier, named Northern Pioneer, has been delivered by a Chinese shipbuilding company to an overseas client. This groundbreaking vessel was built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to combat climate change.
At approximately 130 meters long and 21.2 meters wide, the Northern Pioneer can transport up to 7,500 cubic meters of liquefied CO₂ in a single voyage. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas dual-fuel technology, adhering to the most stringent global energy efficiency design standards. This makes it an environmentally friendly, safe, and highly efficient vessel featuring cutting-edge technology.
“This ship is the first of its kind in the world,” said Gai Yong, project manager at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. “It features a newly developed steel plate material for the cargo tanks and a pioneering design and construction of a liquefied cargo system.”
The vessel incorporates multiple energy-saving and eco-friendly designs, which presented challenges during construction but ultimately achieved breakthroughs in the carbon transport industry. Following its delivery, the Northern Pioneer will serve Norway’s large-scale commercial liquefied CO₂ seabed storage project.
The ship will transport CO₂ emissions from European industries to a reception terminal on Norway’s west coast. There, the CO₂ will be processed and injected 2,600 meters below the seabed for permanent storage. As the world’s first vessel dedicated to marine carbon transport and storage, the Northern Pioneer is expected to play a leading role in developing global solutions for managing land-based CO₂ emissions.
“The delivery of this ship proves that China’s shipbuilding industry is ready to provide various transport, storage, and sequestration equipment for marine carbon storage in the future,” said Peng Guisheng, head of the marketing department at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. “We are preparing for the arrival of this emerging market.”
The successful creation of the Northern Pioneer signals a significant step forward in global carbon capture and storage technology, highlighting China’s role in advancing environmentally friendly solutions to address climate change.
Reference(s):
World's 1st commercial liquefied CO2 carrier delivered in China
cgtn.com
